WHAT WE DO?

Quality Indicators
The following Quality Initiatives were offered in the areas of Staff Development and Provider Training:

Staff Development Training Opportunities were offered to early childhood teachers and staff on implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum, with a focus on pre-literacy and inclusion. Training included:

• Brain smart strategies for infants and toddlers
• Setting up the classroom for implementing conscious discipline
• D.E.C.A. Screening Review
• Florida School Readiness Performance Standards

Participants were awarded training scholarships in the form of a stipend.

Continuing education credit certificates were provided to assist staff in meeting required annual course work hours for maintaining teaching certifications.

Registration fees were paid for child care providers who attended the Treasure Coast Children’s Conference co-sponsored by the Coalition.

A Dental Referral Program for children unable to receive appropriate dental care was provided to treat all early childhood oral concerns.

Parenting Program
The Coalition's Resource Specialists work with center directors to develop programs and workshops designed to meet parenting needs. Workshops include:

• Child Development
• Nutrition
• Fire safety
• Help Me Behave
• I Love You Family Rituals
• Fingerprinting
• Effective Communication
• Brain Smart Discipline
• Stranger Danger
• Seven Essential Steps for Reducing Stress.

The Resource Specialists work diligently to develop contacts in the community to assist in the workshop presentations. Partnerships includes local teachers, librarians and nurses who volunteer their time.

Health Screening Services
In collaboration with the local Health Department, the Coalition continues to provide a health screening program for young children. The Health Screening Team visits contracted child care sites providing vision, hearing and dental screenings, growth and developmental screenings, and general health education. The program also provides dental care for children on a case by case referral basis.

Early Childhood Resource Specialist Program
The Early Childhood Resource Specialist Program is a group of seven dedicated women who assisted contracted child care site directors and staff to improve the quality of their program. Responsibilities included regular visits to designated child care sites, curriculum assistance, modeling of lessons, child assessment instrument training and staff training. They administered the applicable program evaluation instruments, including the Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood, and Family Day Care Environmental Rating scales to all potential and existing child care providers.

Early Childhood Screening Folders
The Early Childhood Screening Folder system is utilized to transfer screening information from provider to provider and eventually to the school district when the child enters kindergarten

Provider Appreciation
In recognition of their dedication to providing ongoing quality care to our children, the Coalition presents the director of each site with a certificate of recognition to display.

Safety Net Program
Protective service children at provider sites are seen at least monthly and a health checklist is obtained for each child. Communication was established between the child care providers and United for Families to address any child concerns in a timely manner.